Neighborhood Spotlight: Astoria (Upper 90 Rooftop)
Hey Footy Family,
Many of you may already been familiar with Upper 90, as it’s one of the best soccer stores in the city, but some may not know that they also have four beautiful futsal sized fields in their Astoria location.
Between the two fields inside on the ground-floor and two more on the roof, there is soccer going on all the time here and the fields are incredibly nice. There is something wonderful and uniquely metropolitan about playing soccer on a rooftop
The store is usually open when games start as well in case you need to grab any last minute supplies like shin guards or goalie gloves, not to mention there's a small little bar wedged between it all where you can pick up snacks, gatorade, a quick post game beer.
Up Next: Astoria
Astoria U90
The Field:
All of the fields are made for 4 on 4 games, 5 on 5 if you include the goalies in your count. If you're unfamiliar with how futsal fields are designed, the entire field is wrapped in a wall, with nets covering everything above chest height on the upstairs fields, and walls going all the way to the roof on the downstairs fields. The goals are also designed lower, only about 3 feet high, so make sure you keep the ball low when you shoot.
Since the field is so compact and there's effectively no out of bounds games are incredibly action packed. Even though there are only four field players out on the field at a time, make sure you have a deep roster as everyone is moving all the time on a pitch of this size. If you're looking to join a fun, exciting, fast pace league, register for NYC Footy here. If you're a beginner looking to get into soccer, you've haven't played in years, or are just looking for some extra touches during the week, sign up for our Better Player program!
Remember that cleats aren't fit for this field so bring turf shoes!!!
The Neighborhood:
Sek'end Sun: A laid back cocktail bar right in the heart of Astoria and just a short walk from the field, that hits just the right spot between upscale and laid back. Sek'end Sun features an excellent roster of cocktails, a solid beer list, great food, and a super friendly staff. The bar has a ton of space and a big backyard. The bar itself is dressed down with warm, welcoming lighting, so feel free to come as you are, however you are.
Sek’end Sun
Oliver's: I've been told on "good" authority (shout out to No Hand's) that Oliver's is one of the go to bars for Footy Teams that play at U90. A tap house with a welcoming, warm atmosphere on the inside and heaps of space out front, you'll find everything you could want here and probably a bit more. Cocktails, taco Tuesdays, and trivia nights, pop in if you're looking for a solid time or to get in with a little bit more of the Footy crowd. I’ll also give a quick shout out to Las Margaritas, which is right across the street and serves great pitches of frozen margs if that is more you speed.
Oliver’s
Cronin's and Phelan's: If you're looking for a classic Irish pub, just a block away from the field, look no further than Cronin's. What is best described as another great good place, they've been serving Astoria for over 100 years, so rest assured they know what they're doing. They've got knockout pub fare, more whiskey then you can, or should, shake a stick at, and karaoke nights, this might just become your second Footy home. Did I mention, their head bartender is also a magician?
Cronin and Phelan’s
Directions:
Train: Both the M and R trains stop right underneath the facility at Steinway St. and the N and W trains will drop you off about 5-10 minutes away at 36av
Bus: The Q101 will drop you off right where the Steinway subway stop is and the Q66 only a block further away, so either one will get you right next to the fields.
Bike: There's a city bike station right on the corner where the facility is and if you're coming from Brooklyn or Queens, it's a fairly straightforward trip.
Thanks for listening.
- James